How to Recycle Gold

Although it is not the most expensive metal in the world, Gold remains one of the world's most coveted substances. Consequently, the demand for Gold recycling continues to increase, and understanding the Gold extraction process can help you decide what to do with unwanted Gold.

Where You Will Find Gold

While Gold coins and jewelry might seem like the only Gold sources, you can find this precious yellow metal in many other places. Because it is nontoxic, for instance, Gold has historically been used in dental fillings, though these have fallen out of favor because of their price.

You will also find at least 50 cents worth of Gold in every cell phone. Although many people throw out their old cell phones, this easy method of Gold recycling could reduce mining demand and help preserve the environment. Mobile phones, computers and other electronic devices also contain Gold due to its reliable electrical conductivity.

The Gold Extraction Process

To recover recyclable Gold, professionals use a Gold extraction process to remove the metal from items such as computer mother boards and jewelry settings. The process varies depending on the application, but it typically involves some sort of acidic mixture that separates the Gold from other materials.

After that part of the Gold extraction process is complete, the Gold is sifted from the resulting materials and melted down to form a bar, nugget or other solid shape. Gold melting typically involves a crucible and the temperature required to melt it depends on its purity. Pure Gold, or .9999 fine Gold, melts at 1947.52 degrees Fahrenheit.

Melting and Smelting Gold

Before professionals pursue Gold melting, they sort it based on its purity. Pure Gold, known in jewelry as 24K Gold, has no impurities and is sorted separately from lesser qualities of Gold during the Gold recycling process. Professionals can use an electronic tester or an acid kit to test for purity level, depending on the circumstances.

After the Gold melting process is complete, the recycling continues by separating each purity level so that bars or nuggets remain consistent. For instance, you wouldn't want to melt 24 karat Gold and 8 karat Gold into the same bar. Recyclers can also smelt impure Gold to increase its purity level.

Reusing Gold

Recycled Gold has many applications across several industries. The technology and electronics sectors, for instance, use Gold extensively in manufacturing. From your car's catalytic converter to your home's air-conditioning unit, many of the products you use every day contain Gold. Jewelers can also use recycled Gold to make new pieces, from rings and bracelets to necklaces and earrings, and recycled Gold can even be remade into Gold coins.

Because Gold has myriad uses, its value in today's marketplace remains significant, and recycling it can reduce the strain on miners. Since most people lack the ability to extract, melt and recycle Gold themselves, selling your Gold to be recycled can offer the best solution.

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